EP1028784B1 - Energy absorbing torsion bar seat belt retractor - Google Patents
Energy absorbing torsion bar seat belt retractor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1028784B1 EP1028784B1 EP98952055A EP98952055A EP1028784B1 EP 1028784 B1 EP1028784 B1 EP 1028784B1 EP 98952055 A EP98952055 A EP 98952055A EP 98952055 A EP98952055 A EP 98952055A EP 1028784 B1 EP1028784 B1 EP 1028784B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- torsion bar
- seat belt
- torque
- retractor
- energy absorbing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F1/00—Springs
- F16F1/02—Springs made of steel or other material having low internal friction; Wound, torsion, leaf, cup, ring or the like springs, the material of the spring not being relevant
- F16F1/14—Torsion springs consisting of bars or tubes
- F16F1/16—Attachments or mountings
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R22/00—Safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles
- B60R22/34—Belt retractors, e.g. reels
- B60R22/341—Belt retractors, e.g. reels comprising energy-absorbing means
- B60R22/3413—Belt retractors, e.g. reels comprising energy-absorbing means operating between belt reel and retractor frame
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- F16F7/00—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers
- F16F7/12—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers using plastic deformation of members
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R22/00—Safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles
- B60R22/28—Safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles incorporating energy-absorbing devices
- B60R2022/286—Safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles incorporating energy-absorbing devices using deformation of material
- B60R2022/287—Safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles incorporating energy-absorbing devices using deformation of material of torsion rods or tubes
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to seat belt retractors and more particularly the class of retractors designated as energy absorbing retractors.
- the classic type of seat belt retractor comprises a frame with a spool rotationally mounted upon the frame.
- the spool will typically include one or more lock wheels each having a plurality of teeth which are engaged by a corresponding lock pawl which is typically rotationally mounted to the frame and movable from a disengaged position to an engaged position in locking engagement with a tooth of the lock wheel.
- the lock pawls are replaced by locking formations (or teeth) positioned in the frame and the spool is permitted to rotate or translate into locking engagement with these locking formations.
- This type of conventional seat belt retractor is known as a frame locking retractor.
- the spool In an energy absorbing retractor the spool is initially locked during the initial moments of an crash by means of a locking pawl activated by a vehicle sensor or a web sensor. Subsequently, as the crash progresses, momentum is transferred to the occupant and the occupant will tend to move forward against the seat belt and load the now locked retractor (as would happen with a conventional seat belt retractor).
- the spool and its associated mechanisms are permitted to move and the seat belt is controllably permitted to protract in response to the load imparted to the seat belt by the occupant.
- the forward motion of the occupant is restricted by a reaction force or torque generated within the retractor. In this way the protraction of the seat belt and the forward motion of the occupant are controlled.
- Energy absorbing seat belt retractors often employ a deformable member such as a crushable bushing or a torsion bar. In either case, the bushing is crushed or the torsion bar rotated beyond its elastic limit into its plastic range or zone of operation to generate the desired (theoretically constant) reaction torque which acts against the forces imparted to the seat belt by the moving occupant and the torque transferred to the retractor spool.
- a deformable member such as a crushable bushing or a torsion bar.
- the object of an energy absorbing retractor is to generate a generally constant reaction force to oppose the forward motion of the occupant and to be able to generate this constant force during the entire time that the seat belt is loaded by the occupant. In theory this can be achieved by utilizing a material that effectively does not have an elastic zone and by always operating the crush bushing or the torsion bar in their constant plastic zone.
- one end of the torsion bar is fixedly attached to a lock wheel and the other end is fixedly fixed to the spool of the retractor.
- the lock wheel is prevented from rotating by interposing a lock dog or lock pawl within the teeth of the lock wheel.
- the spool will tend to rotate in opposition to the reaction torque generated within the torsion bar, as the torsion bar is twisted.
- the generated reaction torque depends upon the amount that the torsion bar is rotated or twisted as well as upon the physical characteristics of the torsion bar.
- the reaction torque generated by a torsion bar will vary depending upon whether the torsion bar is in its elastic, transition or plastic zones or ranges.
- the elastic range is characterized by a steep (preferably infinitely steep slope or deflection curve) and the plastic range is characterized by a perfectly constant torque deflection region having a sharp transition from the elastic region.
- JP 09066800 which corresponds to the preamble of claim 1 discloses an energy absorbing seat belt retractor in which the shaft is pre-torqued to reach a yield point that substantially eliminates elastic deformation.
- the torque process according to this document involves the blocking of one extremity of the shaft by means of pin 30 and the screwing of the other extremity of the shaft until the yield point is reached; the thus stressed shaft is then blocked into position by means of a stopper ball 40 to retain the intermediate shaft section in the condition of reaching a desirable deformation region.
- the invention concerns a seat belt retractor with the features of claim 1.
- curve 300 of FIGURE 1 diagrammatically shows the characteristics of an idealized torsion bar and more specifically the torque generated as a function of a normalized rotation or deflection.
- this torsion bar were included in a torsion bar retractor 20 such as that shown in FIGURE 9 and the seat belt 36 is loaded by the occupant, this type of torsion bar would twist generating a linearly increasing torque (see 301) and then yield a constant reaction force, opposing the occupant belt force, only after a minute amount of twisting, which corresponds to a small amount of seat belt protraction.
- curve 302 in FIGURE 1 represents a theoretical approximation of the actual torque-deflection curve of a torsion bar having a circular cross section.
- the transition zone 312 from the elastic to the plastic range of operation is not abrupt. In practice, this means that the torsion bar must be rotated a significantly greater amount to generate the desired reaction force. Consequently, a greater amount of seat belt protraction is needed (or a greater amount of forward motion of the occupant will be required) to generate a reaction force or torque that approximates or approaches the ideal reaction torque with the torsion bar deformed into its plastic region.
- FIGURE 2 shows the torque versus deflection curve of an actual (tested) torsion bar having a circular cross section.
- this curve 310 shows a relatively large transition zone 312, in comparison to the idealized curves 300 and 302, between the elastic 314 and plastic 316 behavior for the torsion bar.
- FIGURE 3 shows the material property, stress strain model of a torsion bar.
- the developed stress inside the torsion bar increases linearly with the strain at a slope equal to the shear modulus of the torsion bar's material to the level of its yield shear strength ⁇ y and then yields at the constant level, following points A-B-C on curves 304 and 305.
- the stress decreases from the last load point such as C (or C', etc.) with the same slope, that is the slope is equal to the shear modulus and follows points C-D on curve 306.
- FIGUREs 4a-4c illustrate the stresses developed within a torsion bar having a circular cross section when it is torqued above yielding.
- the shearing stress, ⁇ in a cross section of the bar varies linearly along the radius of the cross section with the maximum stress developed only on the outer surface until the yield strength is reached.
- This stress distribution is represented by FIGURE 4a. It can be shown that within this stage the torque applied to the shaft versus the twist angle of the shaft follows a linear relationship with a sharp slope until the torque reaches the yield torque (which is generally shown in region 301 of FIGURE 1 and in region 314 of curve 310 of FIGURE 2).
- the torsion bar behaves with the maximum stiffness (sharp slope of the torque-deflection curve) because all of the material inside the torsion bar behaves elastically.
- the maximum stress at the outer surface reaches the yield strength and the outer surface becomes the yield surface.
- the stiffness (slope of the torque deflection curve) of the torsion bar gradually decreases since less and less material inside the torsion bar behaves elastically (which is also shown by curve 302 in FIGURE 1 and curve 310 in FIGURE 2).
- An object of this invention is to provide a torsion bar which reduces the amount of rotation needed to place the torsion bar in its plastic zone so that when it is installed within a seat belt retractor the retractor will generate a reaction torque which approaches the generally constant torque achievable in the ideal case.
- Two embodiments are presented, one is a pre-torqued torsion bar having a circular cross section and the another is a torsion bar having an annular cross section.
- FIGURE 5a shows the calculated torque deflection curve of the ideal torsion bar.
- FIGURE 5b is a torque deflection curve based on test data for a pre-torqued torsion bar having a circular cross section .
- the pre-torquing process is performed before assembling the torsion bar into the seat belt retractor. More particularly, the torsion bar is torqued to a level above its yield torque, in the direction the torsion bar would twist during the protraction of the seat belt. Subsequently, the torque is released. At this level of torque (and corresponding stress) the torsion bar will exhibit some permanent deformation.
- the resulting torque deflection curve exhibits a generally linear elastic zone with an abrupt transition to the plastic zone. Further, it can be appreciated that the extent of the transition zone has been drastically shortened and as such the amount of rotation (of the torsion bar) needed to place the bar sufficiently close to its plastic zone has been drastically reduced in comparison to the theoretical and test data of the torsion bar (that has not been pre-torqued) shown in FIGUREs 1 and 2.
- FIGUREs 6a-6c illustrate the physical effects that occur with the torsion bar as it is pre-torqued.
- the primary contributor to the creation of a large transition zone in the torque deflection curve (of a torsion bar having a circular cross section) is the fact that the yield surface moves or migrates as the bar is twisted.
- the migration of the yield surface is due to the non-uniform stress distribution shown in FIGURE 4a, discussed above. If, however, the stresses in the entire cross section, or a larger portion of the cross section, during loading (of the torsion bar) could reach the yield strength simultaneously, no transition zone, or at least a smaller transition zone, would occur.
- FIGURE 6a duplicates FIGURE 4b and shows the stress distribution in the torsion bar when it is being pre-torqued beyond the yield point with a yield surface located, that is, migrated to a radius R/v ( ⁇ > 1 is a parameter that corresponds to the depth of the yield surface and R is the radius of the torsion bar having the circular cross section).
- FIGURE 6b shows the stress release distribution during unloading in the pre-torque process.
- the consequence of the pre-torque process is that after unloading, the stress inside the torsion bar does not vanish due to the non-uniform permanent deformation in the torsion bar.
- the residual stress distribution (see FIGURE 6c) existing in the torsion bar is the superposition of stresses generated in pre-torquing and unloading steps as shown in FIGUREs 6a and 6b.
- An important characteristic of the residual stresses is that the distribution of these stresses, near the outer surface of the torsion bar, are designed to be in the direction opposite to the direction the torsion bar would twist during the protraction of the seat belt.
- the seat belt When the pre-torqued torsion bar is assembled in the retractor and is loaded by the occupant, the seat belt will protract, and the total stress inside the torsion bar is the superposition of the residual stress and the stress generated by the belt load having the distribution shown in FIGURE 6d. Due to the residual stress, the maximum stress in the pre-torqued bar is no longer located at the outer surface, as illustrated in FIGURE 6e, but at a location created in pre-torque process R/v. With further increase of the applied torque, the stresses in the range from the location R/v to the outer surface will reach the yield strength simultaneously as shown in FIGURE 6f.
- a pre-torqued torsion bar 70 having a circular cross section can be incorporated within an energy absorbing seat belt retractor.
- the torsion bar is first twisted or pre-torqued in the same direction (clock-wise or counter clock-wise) that it would be twisted when subjected to the occupant's load transmitted from the seat belt to the spool.
- the level of pre-torquing should be sufficient to move the torsion bar out of its elastic zone and more particularly, pre-torqued to a level in excess of the yield stress ⁇ y so that the bar is operating in the transition or the plastic zones.
- a torsion bar having an annular cross section is proposed.
- the benefit of using this type of torsion bar is that the transition zone is much smaller than that achieved with the circular cross sectioned torsion bar.
- a key factor which contributes to the extended transition zone 312 for the circular cross sectioned torsion bar is simply that the yield surface must migrate through the entire cross section before a completely plastic behavior is achieved. To achieve this condition the torsion bar must be substantially twisted; the degree of twist will vary with the material used.
- the use of a torsion bar having an annular cross section reduces the migration distance of the yield surface and therefore shortens the transition zone.
- FIGURE 7 shows the calculated torque (vertical axis) deflection (horizontal axis) curve 701 of an ideal torsion bar having an annular cross section which, as shown below, significantly reduces the transition zone.
- the theoretical torque-deflection curve 701 exhibits a generally linear elastic zone with an abrupt transition to the plastic zone.
- less protraction less occupant movement
- the reaction torque generated as the webbing is controllably protracted would be higher than that of a torsion bar, that has not been pre-torqued, having a circular cross section for a given amount of twist.
- FIGUREs 8a-8c show the stresses developed in a torsion bar having a hollow annulus or bore of radius Ri and an outer radius of R o .
- the wall thickness of this type of torsion bar is drastically smaller in comparison to a circular torsion bar of the same radius.
- this exterior yield surface will migrate into the material until it reaches the inner radius R i with increases in the applied torque as shown in FIGURE 8b.
- this type of annular construction will generate a rapid transition, i.e. a smaller transition zone, into the plastic zone of operation in comparison to the torsion bar having a circular cross section.
- FIGURE 9 generally shows the construction of the major components of a torsion bar, energy absorbing seat belt retractor 20 which can be adopted for use with the present invention.
- the retractor 20 comprises a frame 22 with first and second sides 24a, b and a back 24c, each of the first and second sides includes a first opening 28a, b.
- the retractor 20 also includes a hollow spool 30 rotationally supported upon the frame 22.
- the spool 30 includes a center body 32 and opposing flanges 34a and 34b at respective ends of the center body 32.
- the center body 32 includes means such as a slot (not shown) of known construction for receiving and securing an end of a length of seat belt (seat belt webbing) 36.
- the center body is hollow and includes a bore 40.
- a torsion bar 70 is located within the bore 40.
- the torsion bar includes a center body 72.
- a first end 74 of the torsion bar 70 extends through opening 28a in side 24a. End 74 may be supported by an optional bushing 77 inserted in opening 28a.
- the end 74 includes splines 80 (which fit in splines 46), a groove 82 and a spring arbor 84 engageable with a rewind spring 86.
- the other end of the spring is fixedly attached relative to the frame so as not to move.
- the torsion bar also includes a second end 76 which is secured to a part of a lock wheel assembly 200. End 76 includes splines 75.
- Emergency locking retractors include a variety of lock wheel assemblies.
- the precise type for use in the present invention is not particularly important other than, in this embodiment, that a lock wheel needs to be joined to end 76 of the torsion bar such as a complementary set of splines 75a.
- the lock wheel assemblies include a means for causing a locking pawl to be brought into engagement with teeth on the lock wheel to halt the protraction of the seat belt.
- Such means typically includes the use of a vehicle or inertia sensor to sense vehicle deceleration above a predetermined level and a web sensor which is activated to initiate the locking of the retractor when the seat belt (webbing) is withdrawn from the spool at a rate in excess of a determinable level.
- the locking assemblies may use one or more plastic sensor pawls which engage a plastic or metal ratchet wheel which in turn couples a lock cup to the retractor shaft (in the present case to the torsion bar). Having coupled the lock cup to the shaft (torsion bar) the lock cup rotates.
- the lock wheel assembly 200 is shown diagrammatically and includes a lock wheel 202 having a splined bore 204 with splines 75a.
- the splines 75 of the torsion bar 70 are press fit within the bore 204 and permanently secured thereto in a known manner. This orientation prohibits the relative rotation of the lock wheel 202 and the end 76 of the torsion bar 70.
- a portion of the torsion bar 70 extends through opening 28b in the frame side 24b.
- An optional bushing 77a may be inserted in the opening 28b to support the torsion bar 70.
- the illustrated lock wheel assembly further includes a lock pawl 210, having a locking tooth or formation 212 thereon to engage the teeth 203 on the lock wheel.
- the lock pawl 210 is rotationally supported on the frame such as on frame side 24b.
- the lock wheel assembly 200 includes a web sensor 220 that is coupled to sense the speed of rotation of the spool 30. As illustrated the web sensor is coupled to the torsion bar 70, the speed of which (prior to lockup) is that of the spool.
- the lock wheel assembly further includes a vehicle sensor 222. As mentioned above, the specific implementation of the web and vehicle sensors will vary, however, this is known in the art. Whenever either the vehicle or the web sensor is activated the lock pawl 210 is brought, via known mechanisms, into locking engagement with a lock wheel 202.
- the torsion bar 70 is fixed in place by inserting a locking ring 130 within a groove 82 formed on end 74 of the torsion bar.
- the rewind spring 86 and sensors 220 and 222 are mounted to the retractor 20 in a known manner.
- FIGURE 10 illustrates an annular torsion bar 70' attached to a lock wheel 202.
Description
Claims (5)
- An energy absorbing seat belt retractor (20) comprising:a frame (22);a torsion bar means (70,70') rotationally supported relative to the frame for generating a predetermined reaction torque as it is twisted, the torsion bar characterized by an elastic deformation zone and a sharp onset into a plastic deformation zone;a spool (30) operatively connected to rotate with the torsion bar;lock means (200), adaptable during a vehicle crash and operatively connected to a first portion of the torsion bar for, at least, temporarily stopping the torsion bar and the spool from rotating; the spool having a seat belt (36) positioned thereon;
characterized in that
said torsion bar means (70) is subjected to a pre-torque followed by unloading, prior to installation within the retractor, sufficient to stress at least a portion of the torsion bar means at least to its yield stress level causing a permanent deformation in the torsion bar means, the pre-torque followed by unloading generating a residual stress in a direction opposite to a direction the spool and torsion bar twist upon being loaded with the lock means activated. - The energy absorbing seat belt retractor (20) defined in claim 1, wherein said residual stresses are distributed near the outer surface of said torsion bar means.
- The energy absorbing seat belt retractor (20) defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the torsion bar means is treated, prior to assembly into the retractor, to create a permanent deformation in the torsion bar means.
- The energy absorbing seat belt retractor (20) defined in any claim 1 to 3, wherein said torsion bar means (70,70') is torqued to a level above its yield torque, in the direction the torsion bar would twist during the protraction of the seat belt.
- The energy absorbing seat belt retractor (20) defined in any claim 1 to 4, wherein the torsion bar means has a circular cross section.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/964,900 US6158816A (en) | 1997-11-05 | 1997-11-05 | Energy absorbing torsion bar seat belt retractor with sharp onset property |
US964900 | 1997-11-05 | ||
PCT/US1998/020864 WO1999022819A1 (en) | 1997-11-05 | 1998-10-05 | Energy absorbing torsion bar seat belt retractor |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1028784A1 EP1028784A1 (en) | 2000-08-23 |
EP1028784A4 EP1028784A4 (en) | 2003-04-16 |
EP1028784B1 true EP1028784B1 (en) | 2004-12-08 |
Family
ID=25509136
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP98952055A Expired - Lifetime EP1028784B1 (en) | 1997-11-05 | 1998-10-05 | Energy absorbing torsion bar seat belt retractor |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US6158816A (en) |
EP (1) | EP1028784B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3703715B2 (en) |
AU (1) | AU9784898A (en) |
DE (1) | DE69828081T2 (en) |
GB (2) | GB2348403B (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999022819A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (11)
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US6158816A (en) * | 1997-11-05 | 2000-12-12 | Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. | Energy absorbing torsion bar seat belt retractor with sharp onset property |
AU4006799A (en) * | 1999-05-20 | 2000-12-12 | Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. | Seatbelt retractor |
JP4416143B2 (en) | 1999-09-28 | 2010-02-17 | タカタ株式会社 | Torsion bar in seat belt retractor |
WO2015060990A1 (en) * | 2013-10-24 | 2015-04-30 | Honeywell International Inc. | Horizontal lifeline system with a torsional deforming member |
CN103821865B (en) * | 2014-03-04 | 2015-11-11 | 中国人民解放军理工大学 | A kind of buffering shock-absorbing device and the application on protective door thereof |
US9168890B1 (en) | 2014-09-03 | 2015-10-27 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Seat belt retractor with wedge clamp and load limiter |
US10358060B1 (en) * | 2017-07-14 | 2019-07-23 | Armorworks Holdings, Inc. | Torsionally deforming energy attenuator |
JP6962872B2 (en) * | 2018-06-26 | 2021-11-05 | 株式会社日立建機ティエラ | Construction machinery |
US11180111B2 (en) | 2019-03-29 | 2021-11-23 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Seatbelt retractor assembly |
DE102019218682A1 (en) * | 2019-12-02 | 2021-06-02 | Joyson Safety Systems Germany Gmbh | Belt retractor |
JP7400642B2 (en) | 2020-07-01 | 2023-12-19 | Joyson Safety Systems Japan合同会社 | How to make a seat belt retractor |
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1997
- 1997-11-05 US US08/964,900 patent/US6158816A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1998
- 1998-10-02 GB GB0011462A patent/GB2348403B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-10-02 GB GB9821335A patent/GB2331050B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-10-05 DE DE69828081T patent/DE69828081T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-10-05 JP JP2000518746A patent/JP3703715B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-10-05 EP EP98952055A patent/EP1028784B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-10-05 AU AU97848/98A patent/AU9784898A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-10-05 WO PCT/US1998/020864 patent/WO1999022819A1/en active IP Right Grant
-
2000
- 2000-12-11 US US09/734,524 patent/US6309023B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2001521852A (en) | 2001-11-13 |
GB2348403B (en) | 2001-01-24 |
US20010000908A1 (en) | 2001-05-10 |
GB2348403A (en) | 2000-10-04 |
GB0011462D0 (en) | 2000-06-28 |
EP1028784A4 (en) | 2003-04-16 |
US6158816A (en) | 2000-12-12 |
GB2331050B (en) | 2001-01-31 |
GB2331050A (en) | 1999-05-12 |
DE69828081D1 (en) | 2005-01-13 |
WO1999022819A1 (en) | 1999-05-14 |
EP1028784A1 (en) | 2000-08-23 |
US6309023B2 (en) | 2001-10-30 |
JP3703715B2 (en) | 2005-10-05 |
AU9784898A (en) | 1999-05-24 |
GB9821335D0 (en) | 1998-11-25 |
DE69828081T2 (en) | 2005-11-03 |
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